Anyone gone back to halides? - Page 2

reefmutt · 10/20/2017, 04:23 PM

I started with T12 Phillips actinics and daylights- then went to venture mh- the most yellow bulbs you ever saw!
Then I mixed venture mh with ushio blues and added vho actinics..
then I went t5 and de mh.
Then, ghl mitras.. I had decent success with health and growth but I hated what I was seeing when looking down at my Corals.
Went to mitras and t5 and didnt mind it but wasn’t happy..
Went back to radium mh with t5 and kicked myself for ever using LEDs
Then tried all t5. Corals were fantastic but I wasn’t happy without the mh sparkle.
I have now settled on my current mh/t5/ai prime led set up and really like it.
I won’t cuange any time soon but if I did I would certainly try the radion g4 pros.
I have seen some great results with those lights- growth and color.
LEDs have an ability to make corals look ‘spectacular ‘ even when they aren’t. To those coming into the hobby with LEDs they won’t know the didference but to us old fogies who saw corals the way god intended!!

, we may always revert to mh..

Capt_Cully · 10/20/2017, 05:52 PM

You have any pictures of your set up? It sounds great.

reefmutt · 10/20/2017, 07:21 PM

I can’t really get a shot inside my cabinet to show the lights..
Basically it’s 3 t5 at rear, the 3 mh fixtures with a pair of Primes between them and 3 more t5 at front.
====== T5 x 3
[] : [] : [] Mh and Primes
====== T5 x 3

reefmutt · 10/20/2017, 07:27 PM

I’m tempted to one day replace the Primes with xr 15 pros for the extra sexy LEDs they have.

Scorpius · 10/20/2017, 08:23 PM

Not to start a war, but if you folks would like some LED's I'd go with the Kessil A360 series. Keep the color under 50% and pick whatever intensity you want and you're good to go. I like not having the ability to adjust ever color diode.

I run 1 360we per foot of tank along with four T5 bulbs for my sps.

Mike de Leon · 10/20/2017, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefmutt

I’m tempted to one day replace the Primes with xr 15 pros for the extra sexy LEDs they have.

I have the XR30. I've also owned, and still do in a package, AI hydras. I like the colour on the AIs better.

Capt_Cully · 10/21/2017, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefmutt

I can’t really get a shot inside my cabinet to show the lights..
Basically it’s 3 t5 at rear, the 3 mh fixtures with a pair of Primes between them and 3 more t5 at front.
====== T5 x 3
[] : [] : [] Mh and Primes
====== T5 x 3

Fair enough. What MH reflectors/pendants are you running?

Thanks!

reefmutt · 10/21/2017, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike de Leon

I have the XR30. I've also owned, and still do in a package, AI hydras. I like the colour on the AIs better.

Hm. Interesting. I just find that the extra LEDs in the radions cane do some pretty crazy things to the look of the corals that the ais can’t.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt_Cully

Fair enough. What MH reflectors/pendants are you running?

Thanks!

I have the Hamilton ceyman sun reflectors for de bulbs. I quite like them.

Pslreefer · 10/21/2017, 07:13 AM

I wish I had not sold my halides. After 2 years with led I really prefer the halides. However I certainly do not miss the cost in electricity consumption, the heat generation and expensive bulb replacement ever year.

Capt_Cully · 10/21/2017, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefmutt

Hm. Interesting. I just find that the extra LEDs in the radions cane do some pretty crazy things to the look of the corals that the ais can’t.

I have the Hamilton ceyman sun reflectors for de bulbs. I quite like them.

I like your set up and think I might do something similar with Hamilton Bimini de reflectors and 3 Radion XR 15s.

Visually you can’t beat the dawn dusk of LEDs but if I turn down the intensity, it should minimize the pin point burns on sensitive corals. Just be aesthetic. Then ramp down for T5s and off completely with Halides. I’m likin’ it!

As for cost, I think I’m ok with it having experienced all sides of things. To me, it’ll be worth it to have a pretty tank again. This latest one has proven to be a struggle. “Know your tanks personality”, this ones a d**k.

jda · 10/21/2017, 03:28 PM

Size your halides correctly and the cost will be very similar. Nobody ever needed 400W Halides over a 75G mixed reef when 70 or 150W halides could have worked. Correctly sizing can also make heat a complete non-factor.

10Seconds · 10/21/2017, 06:36 PM

I am just coming up on 2 years in the hobby, all of which until a week ago were with various LEDs. But never got the look I wanted and all the tanks I really was drawn towards had other lighting. So I just changed to Metal Halide / T5 hybred fixture and I love it. Tank looks better than ever before.

I get that you can grow corals with LEDs and the Radions are nice. But when I see that it takes 10 of them on Sanjays tank to equal what he grew with 3 MH, it makes me think. I dont want to spend $8k on lights where $1.5k would do and look better IMO.

Flanders · 10/22/2017, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jda

Size your halides correctly and the cost will be very similar. Nobody ever needed 400W Halides over a 75G mixed reef when 70 or 150W halides could have worked. Correctly sizing can also make heat a complete non-factor.

Well, here's the problem with that, that it ignores the color factor. Not many people want to use 10k bulbs anymore, and having tried them, the lower wattage 20k bulbs tend to be a waste of time IMO, and I'd want to go with 250's on a 75 for that reason. And that's where the potentially similar cost of running halides goes out the window.

ReefBum · 10/22/2017, 02:39 PM

There are some really nice LED tanks out there but i will continue to stick with what works for me, MH + T5s.

rtparty · 10/22/2017, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flanders

Well, here's the problem with that, that it ignores the color factor. Not many people want to use 10k bulbs anymore, and having tried them, the lower wattage 20k bulbs tend to be a waste of time IMO, and I'd want to go with 250's on a 75 for that reason. And that's where the potentially similar cost of running halides goes out the window.

The Phoenix 14k bulb is regarded as one of the best bulbs ever created. The 150w version was absolutely amazing when I ran it and it's much closer to 20k than 14k IMO

ComforablyNumb · 10/22/2017, 03:16 PM

28 years reefing...and I'm all LED now. I can grow whatever I want.

I have 2 mH/t5 Current Marine combo's sitting out in the garage because I can't even sell them locally. I was asking $75 each. They are considered power-hungry heat generators in this area.

Mike de Leon · 10/22/2017, 03:34 PM

Just another halide/led argument in its purest form lol

Flanders · 10/22/2017, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtparty

The Phoenix 14k bulb is regarded as one of the best bulbs ever created. The 150w version was absolutely amazing when I ran it and it's much closer to 20k than 14k IMO

Thanks. I appreciate the recommendation. Good to know there is at least one good option - most 14k bulbs are not what I would want to look at, at least not without a lot of supplementation.

WLachnit · 10/22/2017, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ComforablyNumb

28 years reefing...and I'm all LED now. I can grow whatever I want.

I have 2 mH/t5 Current Marine combo's sitting out in the garage because I can't even sell them locally. I was asking $75 each. They are considered power-hungry heat generators in this area.

It's the same in California, no one wants MH because of the electricity costs. Reefers end up giving away their MH reflectors and ballasts. I still have mine in the garage just in case I go back...not worth giving away at this point.

vuqchu · 10/22/2017, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtparty

The Phoenix 14k bulb is regarded as one of the best bulbs ever created. The 150w version was absolutely amazing when I ran it and it's much closer to 20k than 14k IMO

Agree with this bulb. Problem is I don’t think they even make them anymore. That was the info I was told when I got them last time for a pendant, which was years ago. I would run MH in a heartbeat if heat and electricity cost wasn’t the issue. Been super happy with ATI T5 but do miss the shimmers.

rtparty · 10/23/2017, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vuqchu

Agree with this bulb. Problem is I don’t think they even make them anymore. That was the info I was told when I got them last time for a pendant, which was years ago. I would run MH in a heartbeat if heat and electricity cost wasn’t the issue. Been super happy with ATI T5 but do miss the shimmers.

The bulb is still produced. They stopped but had such a demand and public out cry that they started producing them again

vuqchu · 10/23/2017, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtparty

The bulb is still produced. They stopped but had such a demand and public out cry that they started producing them again

That’s great news. Thanks

biecacka · 10/23/2017, 09:19 AM

Do they make it in a SE?

Corey

rtparty · 10/23/2017, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biecacka

Do they make it in a SE?

Corey

The Phoenix? I don't think so. They may have at one point though

biecacka · 10/23/2017, 10:25 AM

i didn't think so either but figured i would ask. I have always ran the radium

corey

10/20/2017, 04:23 PM	#26
reefmutt Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Mtl. Canada Posts: 7,824	I started with T12 Phillips actinics and daylights- then went to venture mh- the most yellow bulbs you ever saw! Then I mixed venture mh with ushio blues and added vho actinics.. then I went t5 and de mh. Then, ghl mitras.. I had decent success with health and growth but I hated what I was seeing when looking down at my Corals. Went to mitras and t5 and didnt mind it but wasn’t happy.. Went back to radium mh with t5 and kicked myself for ever using LEDs Then tried all t5. Corals were fantastic but I wasn’t happy without the mh sparkle. I have now settled on my current mh/t5/ai prime led set up and really like it. I won’t cuange any time soon but if I did I would certainly try the radion g4 pros. I have seen some great results with those lights- growth and color. LEDs have an ability to make corals look ‘spectacular ‘ even when they aren’t. To those coming into the hobby with LEDs they won’t know the didference but to us old fogies who saw corals the way god intended!! , we may always revert to mh.. __________________ Matt. Current Tank Info: 53x32.5x26 190g dt 60g of sumps 3 tank-100 gal frag system 6xAI prime 8xt5. 4x maxspect gyre. Skimz Dual internal sicce pump skimmer Deltec PF601s ca rx+Kalk stirrer

10/20/2017, 05:52 PM	#27
Capt_Cully Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 13,574	You have any pictures of your set up? It sounds great. __________________ People say cars are a bad investment. Those people don't have reef tanks. Current Tank Info: 120, Radion Gen 2 Pro x 2

10/20/2017, 07:21 PM	#28
reefmutt Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Mtl. Canada Posts: 7,824	I can’t really get a shot inside my cabinet to show the lights.. Basically it’s 3 t5 at rear, the 3 mh fixtures with a pair of Primes between them and 3 more t5 at front. ====== T5 x 3 [] : [] : [] Mh and Primes ====== T5 x 3 __________________ Matt. Current Tank Info: 53x32.5x26 190g dt 60g of sumps 3 tank-100 gal frag system 6xAI prime 8xt5. 4x maxspect gyre. Skimz Dual internal sicce pump skimmer Deltec PF601s ca rx+Kalk stirrer

10/20/2017, 07:27 PM	#29
reefmutt Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Mtl. Canada Posts: 7,824	I’m tempted to one day replace the Primes with xr 15 pros for the extra sexy LEDs they have. __________________ Matt. Current Tank Info: 53x32.5x26 190g dt 60g of sumps 3 tank-100 gal frag system 6xAI prime 8xt5. 4x maxspect gyre. Skimz Dual internal sicce pump skimmer Deltec PF601s ca rx+Kalk stirrer

10/20/2017, 08:23 PM	#30
Scorpius Stick Head Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 1,208	Not to start a war, but if you folks would like some LED's I'd go with the Kessil A360 series. Keep the color under 50% and pick whatever intensity you want and you're good to go. I like not having the ability to adjust ever color diode. I run 1 360we per foot of tank along with four T5 bulbs for my sps. __________________ Current Tank 65gal DSA rimless. Vortech MP-10 x4 Vectra M1. Kessil A360we x3 4-24in T5's. BRS 2 part LPS/SPS mixed reef. Will do ______ for Acropora.

10/21/2017, 07:13 AM	#34
Pslreefer In Memoriam Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Port St Lucie, FL Posts: 597	I wish I had not sold my halides. After 2 years with led I really prefer the halides. However I certainly do not miss the cost in electricity consumption, the heat generation and expensive bulb replacement ever year.

10/21/2017, 03:28 PM	#36
jda Dogmatic Dinosaur Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 6,256	Size your halides correctly and the cost will be very similar. Nobody ever needed 400W Halides over a 75G mixed reef when 70 or 150W halides could have worked. Correctly sizing can also make heat a complete non-factor.

10/21/2017, 06:36 PM	#37
10Seconds Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 50	I am just coming up on 2 years in the hobby, all of which until a week ago were with various LEDs. But never got the look I wanted and all the tanks I really was drawn towards had other lighting. So I just changed to Metal Halide / T5 hybred fixture and I love it. Tank looks better than ever before. I get that you can grow corals with LEDs and the Radions are nice. But when I see that it takes 10 of them on Sanjays tank to equal what he grew with 3 MH, it makes me think. I dont want to spend $8k on lights where $1.5k would do and look better IMO.

10/22/2017, 02:39 PM	#39
ReefBum Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Warren, VT Posts: 1,181	There are some really nice LED tanks out there but i will continue to stick with what works for me, MH + T5s. __________________ March 2009 TOTM July 2003 TOTM Current Tank Info: Eurobraced 187g Low Iron Glass Tank

10/22/2017, 03:16 PM	#41
ComforablyNumb Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: New Brunswick Canada Posts: 627	28 years reefing...and I'm all LED now. I can grow whatever I want. I have 2 mH/t5 Current Marine combo's sitting out in the garage because I can't even sell them locally. I was asking $75 each. They are considered power-hungry heat generators in this area.

10/22/2017, 03:34 PM	#42
Mike de Leon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Ont. Canada Posts: 2,308	Just another halide/led argument in its purest form lol __________________ Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.. Current Tank Info: 180 Gallon, 3 G4 Radions

10/23/2017, 09:19 AM	#48
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	Do they make it in a SE? Corey

10/23/2017, 10:25 AM	#50
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	i didn't think so either but figured i would ask. I have always ran the radium corey